Damn damn damn. That really saddens me. "Baker Street" has always been among my five favorite songs ever (the Foo Fighters cover is almost better than the real thing) and I always liked the other Rafferty songs I heard on the radio. I got "City To City," which is the album that generated "Baker Street," for like $5 at the supermarket (!!) a couple years ago and it's outstanding. When my Mom was battling cancer, I found comfort in the song "Right Down The Line," which sounded as if it could have been written by my Dad for my Mom.

I read Rafferty was a recluse (had no idea about his sad past and losing battle with alcoholism) but always held out hope he'd tour America and I'd get to see him perform these classic songs. I'll definitely fire up "City To City" tonight. RIP.

If anything the obits I've seen soft-pedal his alcoholism. Dude made Keith Richards look Mormon. A few years ago he disappeared on his way to rehab and was missing for months. He was widely presumed dead. That's the last I had heard about him before today. I'm glad he turned up and was able to live out his days at home, at least.